I was vegging out earlier this week with some junky TV after a busy weekend with house guests and saw 2 things on TV back to back that really struck me.
1) On Clean House New York after cleaning out and redecorating a family's apartment, as a special gift the show offered to pay one months rent since financial pressure was one of the biggest problems the family was experiencing. (In the past this show might occasionally offer a family cruise or something, now it's paying rent.)
2) On How Do I Look after make-over the show offered to pay off half of amount owed on the participant's home, as she was very close to losing her home.
Other than the obvious, OWS -- what are you all observing out there that reflects the new, mean economy?